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Volunteer
Opportunities

It’s easy to volunteer at Wesley Family Services!

Thank you for your interest in volunteering to help those in your community! Just an hour of your time each week or month can make an amazing difference in a person’s life.

Who Should Volunteer

  • Individuals  (young adults to older adults)
  • Families
  • Students
  • Corporate Groups and Professional Organizations
  • Faith based groups
  • Community Organizations

Locations

There are volunteer opportunities across Southwestern PA.  Usually based in the communities near WFS offices.  Click here to see various office locations.

Time Commitment

The time commitment varies. Our volunteer coordinators can work with you or your group to determine your time and location commitment.

Interested or have questions? 

Contact Annie Smith at 412-518-6023, or volunteer@wfspa.org

Like a good challenge? Helping others? Working in a collegial, team environment? Interested in health care issues? Enjoy the feeling of making someone’s day? If so, we’re looking for a volunteer like you!

PA MEDI (formerly APPRISE) is Pennsylvania’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program designed to help Pennsylvanians understand their health care options.  In Allegheny County, the PA MEDI program is operated by Wesley Family Services in partnership with the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging.

PA MEDI assists clients through one-on-one counseling sessions:

  • helping them understand their Medicare and Medicaid benefits,
  • informing them of their choices about healthcare coverage,
  • identifying other medical assistance programs for which they might be eligible, and
  • assisting with the completion of the benefit applications.

There are a variety of opportunities to get involved as a volunteer with PA MEDI, from assisting with important administrative functions to becoming a trained expert counselor.

Who Should Volunteer

Volunteers should have an interest in the healthcare system, enjoy problem solving, have good communication skills, and be reliable.  Individuals who have an active license to sell health insurance cannot volunteer with PA MEDI.

Locations

All volunteer opportunities are based out of the PA MEDI office in Wilkinsburg.  The office is accessible by many Port Authority bus lines, including the East Busway, and has free parking available.

Apply/Connect

Phone: 412-661-1438
Email:PA.MEDI@wfspa.org

All new volunteers must complete a volunteer application and training.

Time Commitment

For volunteers with an interest in an ongoing commitment, all opportunities require weekday (Monday-Friday daytime hours) availability.  Here are a few examples:

4 hours every other week

  • Help PA MEDI track and document our services by recording information about Medicare counseling sessions into the data-tracking system.

4-8 hours per week

  • All of the above opportunities are available to you, plus…
  • Assist with planning and staffing of outreach and counseling events in the community.
  • Assist Medicare counselors with client sessions – learning more about the client’s questions and situation, providing information, and conducting research to find additional information and resources.
  • Help PA MEDI increase the depth and breadth of our expertise by researching information and resources on specific topics relating to Medicare.

8+ hours per week

  • All of the above opportunities are available to you, plus…
  • Become a trained Medicare Counselor.  This involves extensive training and a commitment of at least one year to the PA MEDI program.

PA MEDI is unable to accept groups or single-day volunteers.

The Foster Grandparent Program

The Foster Grandparent program provides volunteer opportunities to low-income individuals, age 55 and older, who give supportive one-on-one attention to children who are at-risk or have special needs. Foster Grandparents serve though local organizations including Pre-K programs, Head Starts, elementary schools, and other youth-based programming. Foster Grandparents help children learn to read, provide one-on-one support and guide children at critical times in their lives. As a Foster Grandparent, you will provide comfort and love and help community youth achieve a brighter future.

Time Commitment

15 hours per week.  Eligible individuals receive a tax-free stipend, travel reimbursement, and other benefits.  All applicants are required to pass background checks.

Interested? 

Contact Rebecca Maletto-Cornell at 412 660-6841, or visit the site to learn more.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering to help a senior in your community! Just an hour of your time each week or month can make an amazing difference in a senior’s life.

When you provide a ride to the doctor or the grocery store, check a senior’s home for safety issues, or just visit and share a cup of tea, you are helping a senior feel less lonely. You are helping a senior maintain their dignity, or stay comfortable living in their own home.

It’s easy to volunteer for Wesley Family Services’ In Service of Seniors and Open Your Heart to a Senior programs!  To learn more about volunteering please contact us:

Clearances. Below are links to three required clearances. Completed clearance certificates must be on file prior to being matched with a senior.

  • Free volunteer criminal check. Free for volunteers. Please complete and provide us with the certificate. PA State Police – https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp
  • Child abuse. Please complete and provide us with the certificate. PA Child Welfare – https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home **Prior to logging into this site, please have ready a list of all of your addresses, including household members, since 1975.
  • Driving record. Please complete the “full history” and provide us with the certificate ($10). Penn Dot – https://apps.pa.egov.com/idr